2005-06 MLB Offseason Thread

[Mik 0]

The Florida Marlins may have the best minor league pitching roster of all time, at the moment.

 

You figure by process of elimination, some of these guys are not gonna work out but when you have 15 potential MLB stars in your farm system, you have to figure that somewhere along the line you're going to end up with 5 aces.

 

But where's the offense?

[bob_barron 0]

I know the trade sounds wonky, but I trust John Scheurholz.

 

They said that Marte can only play 3B which is already taken for the next few years, and the Braves have a deep minor league system.

 

The burying of Furcal's agent has got to stop though.

[sfaJack 0]

Local sports station just did their top of the hour update. Couple of Astros’ notes just coming out of the winter meetings:

 

Astros are NOT expected to offer Clemens arbitration.

 

Astros are in significant trade discussions, but no deals imminent. They will not trade starting pitching but all relievers, including Lidge, are available.

[the max 0]

The Astros are making a tough call but an understandable one if they let Clemens walk without arbitration. They need offense and can't wait around for Clemens like they did last year and miss out on whatever's left out there.

[geniusMoment 0]

Casey was way overpaid, and just a clog in the lineup. He is slow as hell, grounded into more double plays than anyone in baseball, only hit 9 home runs and only drove in 58 runs. I consider that a good trade, as it frees up money, while also increasing the value of pena, dunn and kearns in a trade, as there is no longer a need to trade one. Casey was a great guy, but just wasn't worth 8.5 million.

 

I do not see how anyone could expect Cincy to get anything for Casey, with that contract I am surprised they were able to give him away.

[Kaertos 0]

His last two years he hit for less power because of a shoulder injury. Now I'll be the first to admit that it looks like that shoulder might just be a chronic issue, as he has had it off and on for like two years now.

 

I can't explain the double play thing other than agreeing with you that Casey is slow. As for a clog in the lineup? He led the team in doubles (at least for a while) and led the team in BA. I don;t think he was clog in the lineup.

 

How hopefully, they can trade Pena to someone in the AL so he can DH. The kid can hit, but his fielding is frightening. I cringe everytime somene his a fly to him.

 

I don't know. Intellectually, I know it was a good trade for the Reds, but I have to think that they are going to miss his attitude in the clubhouse. Oh well, I am a Reds fan for life, even if my favorite player is in the Pitt.

[strummer 0]

The Braves have traded Johnny Estrada to Arizona for Cormier and Villareal.

[Dogbert 0]

TO CHICAGO CUBS: CF Juan Pierre

 

TO FLORIDA: P Sergio Mitre, a couple of scrubs

 

And the firesale continues. All hail Loria.

[The Czech Republic 0]

Yeah Estrada was on the way out. Did this acquisition lower payroll for Atlanta, or raise it? With the Renteria talks going on, is it possible that Time Warner is allocating more money to the Braves after the last few years of cuts?

[strummer 0]

The Pirates have traded Mark Redman to the Royals for Jonah Bayliss and a player to be named later

[Sass 0]

Rotoworld notes:

Talks are "percolating" tonight on the proposed three-team deal sending Edgar Renteria to Atlanta, Andy Marte to Tampa Bay and Julio Lugo to Boston, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Confirming the Globe's report. The Braves also discussed a three-team deal with Colorado and Tampa Bay that would have put Lugo in Atlanta and Johnny Estrada in Colorado, but those negotiations cooled some as the other trade talks began heating up. Dec. 6 - 11:00 pm et

Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution

 

If the Devil Rays can turn Julio Lugo into Andy Marte, I will love them forever for getting Marte out of the division.

 

The Dodgers are close to acquiring Alfonso Soriano for reliever Jonathon Broxton, ESPN's Peter Gammons reports.

That would be a considerably smaller price tag than expected and more in line with what Soriano is worth. Broxton, one of the game's best relief prospects, could turn into a quality setup man for the Rangers as soon as the second half of next year and he has closer potential. Dec. 6 - 10:09 pm et

 

With how overrated Soriano is, I would have to figure they could get more than a relief prospect for him.

Alfonso Soriano, welcome to 3B or the outfield.

 

 

Oh shit, if Coletti could pull that off my opinion on him would totally change.

 

If Alf can play 3rd well, sign him I says.

 

I'm not thrilled about Grady Little getting signed (fuck, Tracy was the man) and will give him a chance though.

[The Czech Republic 0]

The Pirates have traded Mark Redman to the Royals for Jonah Bayliss and a player to be named later

Wow, Lima-Benson-Redman, it's like Big Names, Not-So-Big Talent. Bless their hearts, they're trying.

[Boon 0]

Red Sox to trade Doug Mirabelli to Padres for Mark Loretta

 

Glad to see Belli can go somewhere and be a regular starter.

[the pinjockey 0]

TO FLORIDA: P Sergio Mitre, a couple of scrubs

 

So prospects = scrubs?

 

Padres send Sean Burroghs to Tampa for Dewon Brazelton

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2251229

[Guest]

That's an interesting trade. 2 guys that badly needed a change in where they played.

[the pinjockey 0]

I can't believe they are saying, on ESPN, that the Devil Rays put a halt on the Lugo deal because they want more than Marte for him. IMO, if you get offered Marte for Lugo, you take it and run before the Braves realize how drunk you must have gotten them to make the deal.

[Precious Roy 0]

I can't believe the Red Sox got fucking Loretta for their backup catcher. He's basically a Bill Mueller clone, so he'll fit their lineup perfectly, definite upgrade over Bellhorn/that scrub they had down the stretch last year. I'll give them credit, they've made a totally smooth transition without Epstein, and filled some holes on their team. Beckett, Lowell, Mota and Loretta is a pretty nice haul, and they'll probably bring Damon back.

 

I never thought I'd say this, but I have interest in Corey Patterson. Moreso I have faith in Don Mattingly, worth a shot I guess. Womack for Patterson?

[Precious Roy 0]

I can't believe they are saying, on ESPN, that the Devil Rays put a halt on the Lugo deal because they want more than Marte for him. IMO, if you get offered Marte for Lugo, you take it and run before the Braves realize how drunk you must have gotten them to make the deal.

 

People don't seem to realize that Lugo has turned into a pretty good player since arriving in Tampa Bay. He's also a proven commodity. 41 and 36 doubles the last two years, 21 and 39 steals, .765 ops last year. That's good production for a middle infielder. Marte gets a ton of hype, but who knows if that will translate into success in the bigs.

[The Czech Republic 0]

I never thought I'd say this, but I have interest in Corey Patterson. Moreso I have faith in Don Mattingly, worth a shot I guess. Womack for Patterson?

 

You know what, I'll take it. Corey is such a lost cause on the north side. If you can teach him even a modicum of plate discipline, and get him to understand that his job is to get on base and hit for average, not swing for the fences, you've got yourself a star. If not, you've got yourself a .200 hitter.

 

Oh, Jason Varitek better learn how to catch a knuckleball, unless they have a new Wakefield specialist in store.

[the pinjockey 0]

I can't believe they are saying, on ESPN, that the Devil Rays put a halt on the Lugo deal because they want more than Marte for him. IMO, if you get offered Marte for Lugo, you take it and run before the Braves realize how drunk you must have gotten them to make the deal.

 

People don't seem to realize that Lugo has turned into a pretty good player since arriving in Tampa Bay. He's also a proven commodity. 41 and 36 doubles the last two years, 21 and 39 steals, .765 ops last year. That's good production for a middle infielder. Marte gets a ton of hype, but who knows if that will translate into success in the bigs.

 

There is no doubt that Lugo has turned out to be fine and if I were the Braves, assuming this deal eventually goes through, I don't think I would do the other part of the deal (Renteria/Lugo). But he also turned 30 last month, so it is hard to see him getting much better at this point and he isn't good enough that I can imagine giving away a prospect of Marte's caliber (especially considering they probably shouldn't have to, is the market on Lugo really that high?).

 

Putting up a .275/.372/.506/.878 as a 21 year old in AAA is pretty damn good, showing he can both draw walks and hit for power at a higher level. Picturing a core of Delmon Young, BJ Upton, and Andy Marte for years to come would be enough to make me want to see more Devil Rays games.

Edited December 7, 2005 by the pinjockey

[jwpeer 0]

Dontrelle Willis next year goes 4-6 with a 1.90 era?

 

Or can he win even 4 games with Miguel Cabrera + prospects...

[Bruiser Chong 0]

I can't imagine the feeling of being traded to the Royals. I would think it's the sports equvilalent to finding out you have cancer.

[The Czech Republic 0]

To be fair, at least the uniforms have sleeves again, and no black. Baby steps towards respectability.

[mike546 0]

Mark Loretta, for DOUG MIRABELLI?

 

Kill me.

[devo 0]

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?section=mlb&id=2251386

 

Well. Where to with Frank (if anywhere)?

[strummer 0]

Giants Sign Mark Sweeney

[Hektik 0]

The Padres have resigned Trevor Hoffman.

[The Czech Republic 0]

Good to know the Padres aren't breaking up the legendary 82-80 2005 team.

[Bruiser Chong 0]

Danny Kolb's going back to the Brewers.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

I can't believe they are saying, on ESPN, that the Devil Rays put a halt on the Lugo deal because they want more than Marte for him. IMO, if you get offered Marte for Lugo, you take it and run before the Braves realize how drunk you must have gotten them to make the deal.

 

People don't seem to realize that Lugo has turned into a pretty good player since arriving in Tampa Bay. He's also a proven commodity. 41 and 36 doubles the last two years, 21 and 39 steals, .765 ops last year. That's good production for a middle infielder. Marte gets a ton of hype, but who knows if that will translate into success in the bigs.

Marte's as good a bet as anyone. He hits at every level, posting a .269/.364/.525 line in 2004 in AA, and a .275/.372/.506 line this year in AAA. He has excellent plate discipline, power, and to top it off he's 22 and plays a prime position. If he's at all available I hope the Phillies are talking. I doubt the Braves would trade him to a division rival though.